The Columbia Class

Newport News Shipbuilding is partnering with General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) to build the Columbia Class of submarines, the newest generation of ballistic missile submarines replacing the aging Ohio Class. The new submarines will make up one leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent triad. The 561-foot-long submarines will include a new life-of-ship reactor, an electric drive propulsion system and field 16 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.

Teaming Arrangement

Building on the success of the Virginia-class submarine program, NNS and EB will build 12 Columbia-class submarines between 2021 and 2039 with EB as the prime contractor. NNS will participate in the design and will manufacture major Columbia-class assemblies and modules, including the bow, stern, auxiliary machinery room, superstructure and weapons modules.

Dec. 14, 2016:

Naming Ceremony of Columbia (SSBN 826)

A naming ceremony for Columbia (SSBN 826), the lead boat of the class, was held in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016. The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congresswoman for the District of Columbia, was named the sponsor of SSBN 826.